Culture Uncovered

Yes, clean energy can move this fast! In this episode of Culture Uncovered, Jena Dunay sits down with Andi Summers, VP of People and Culture at Palmetto, to explore how this fast-growing clean energy company is transforming residential solar while building a lean, high-performing culture. Founded in 2009, Palmetto has evolved from a solar installer into a technology-driven platform helping homeowners access and manage clean energy solutions. Andi shares what it takes to scale in climate tech ...

Cut, stick, and create your way! Everyone’s a crafter at heart! In this episode of Culture Uncovered, Jena Dunay sits down with Miranda Oliver, VP of People and Culture at Cricut, to go behind the scenes of a company that’s turning DIY dreams into reality. They discuss how Cricut combines creativity, purpose, and people-first culture to build a workplace where employees can act like owners, speak up, and leave their mark. Miranda shares how Cricut evolved from a small craft supply compa...

Swag, swag, and more swag! Everyone loves swag! In this episode of Culture Uncovered, Jena Dunay sits down with Michael Martocci, Founder and CEO of SwagUp, to talk about building a people-first company from the ground up and protecting that culture as the business scales, goes remote, and navigates acquisition. Michael shares the lessons he learned starting SwagUp at 21, how the company grew largely through word of mouth into a global swag and logistics platform, and why he prioritizes auton...

If “no surprise medical bills, ever” sounds like a dream perk, Stack Overflow might be your next favorite place to work. In this episode, Jena chats with Stack Overflow’s Chief People & Culture Officer, Debbie Shotwell, about building an inclusive, mission-driven, fully remote culture where experimentation is encouraged and growth is real. They dig into how a beloved public Q&A platform for developers evolved into a global business with enterprise products, ads, and AI partnerships, p...

Unlimited PTO sucks if you aren't REALLY allowed to take it. At this company, it's different. Raft is building the foundation for AI-driven autonomous operations, and Jena Dunay sits down with Kaitlyn Lavin, Manager of People and Culture, to pull back the curtain. They talk about the company’s journey from a small, scrappy team to 325+ employees, the culture that drives innovation, and how Rafters thrive in an environment built on transparency, ownership, and continuous growth. What you...

Yes, pensions still exist. And yes, you need to check out this company that still offers them! In this episode, Jena chats with Globe Life's Chief Talent Officer, Rebecca Zorn, about living the company’s mission to Make Tomorrow Better, empowering tenacious team players, and strategic hiring. What you'll learn: How Globe Life operates and evolves as a 125-year old companyThe service-oriented, collaborative, empowerment-driven culture that rewards tenacity and continuous improvementWhy interna...

If your idea of a great job includes loud sales pods, laughter, C-suite connections, and a built-in winter break, you’ll want to hear this one. The Millennium Alliance designs intimate, five-star events where buyers and sellers actually sit down together behind closed doors. Jena chats with VP of HR, Victoria Albuquerque, about the company’s 12-year journey from three events to dozens each year, the “team sport” mindset that drives performance, and why they’re gearing up to double in size. Wh...

I'm obsessed with this company. Truly. Not just because of what they do - but how they operate. Meet Ashby, the all-in-one ATS with CRM, scheduling, surveys, analytics, and onboarding. In this episode, Jena Dunay talks with Jim Miller, VP of People and Talent, about their document-first async culture, "frustratingly patient" hiring, and randomized offsite dinners that accidentally became tradition. What you'll learn: How Ashby's async remote model uses documents over meeting...

Running a restaurant can feel like a nonstop juggling act. But what if you had a digital partner taking the paperwork off your plate? Meet MarginEdge, the restaurant management platform bringing automation and real-time data to simplify back-of-house operations. In this episode, Jena Dunay talks with Roy Phillips, Co-Founder of MarginEdge, as they dig into the startup’s origin story, culture rooted in hospitality, and vision to make running a restaurant more enjoyable and efficient. Wha...

Yes, your company book club can have a Halloween plot twist and your PTO can include random “Take a Breath” days! Meet LifeSpeak, the wellness-first SaaS company where collaboration isn’t just talk and every remote employee really does have a voice, whether you’re dialing in from Toronto or Minnesota. In this episode, Jena sits down with Amanda Martel, Director of Human Resources, to dig into what it’s like working for a team that makes well-being and connection part of everyday work. What yo...

Yes, you can buy life insurance without all the paperwork. Meet PolicyMe, Canada’s leading digital insurance platform that’s simplifying life, health, and critical illness coverage for families nationwide. In this episode, Jena chats with Vanesa Cotlar, VP of People and Culture, about what it’s like to work for a company that’s modernizing an entire industry while keeping its people curious, humble, and connected (even remotely). What you’ll learn: How PolicyMe is transforming insurance from ...

What do you get when smart AI-powered learning meets a remote-friendly, no-jerks work culture? Absorb Software: a rapidly growing team that’s all about learning, connecting, and keeping things real while scaling globally. In this episode, Jena catches up with Cheryl Yuran, Absorb’s CHRO, to chat about how they build connection across time zones, support career growth in a fast-paced environment, and why their AI-driven LMS makes life easier for both employees and HR pros. Wh...

Keep people safe. Anywhere. Anytime. That’s the mission behind AlertMedia, a global organization helping companies protect their employees, whether they’re in the office, working remotely, or traveling around the world. In this episode, Jena talks with Jenna Eichberg, Chief People Officer at AlertMedia, about scaling a mission-driven company, building culture across geographies, and why simplicity, humanity, and trust are at the core of everything they do. What you’ll learn: The origin story ...

Buy a hoodie, plant trees, build tech, restore ecosystems. Sounds simple, right? That’s the vision behind Tentree and Veritree, two sister companies co-founded by Derrick Emsley. Tentree is the lifestyle brand planting 10 trees for every item purchased, while Veritree is the tech platform that ensures every tree planted is real, verified, and impactful. In this episode, Jena talks with Derrick Emsley, CEO and co-founder, about what it takes to scale a mission-driven company, the power o...

Want to know what it's like to work for Her Campus Media? Her Campus Media is where Gen Z meets mission—powering content, creator programs, and experiential events that connect top brands with young people across the U.S. In this episode, Jena chats with Brittany Ramsey, Head of People and Culture, about how the company’s remote culture thrives on adaptability, connection, and purpose. From building community to navigating career pivots, this one’s packed with practical advice and real talk. ...

Why yes, I would like to have No Meeting Fridays. (A very fun perk at Nashville-based fintech company Alto.) Alto is shaking up the investing world by making it easier for everyday people to use their IRAs to invest in private assets: think real estate, startups, even fractional art. In this episode, Jena chats with Sarah Light, Alto’s VP of People, about building a fun, ambitious, and evolving workplace culture in a hybrid world. What you’ll learn: What it's like to work at AltoHow Alt...

Can you thrive in agency life without burning out? At Walker Sands, the answer is yes. In this episode, Jena sits down with Allison Ward, Chief People Officer at Walker Sands, a fast-growing B2B marketing agency that’s rewriting the agency playbook with career reinvention, flexibility, and real culture and not just ping-pong tables. From hybrid structure to intentional coaching and longevity that defies industry norms, this episode is packed with advice for job seekers and career pivoters ali...

If you're a creative and really into social marketing. Check this organization out. Meet Movement Strategy, a social-first marketing agency behind some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Amazon, Hulu, and Bravo. In this episode, Culture Uncovered host Jena chats with Colette Gardner, Head of People and Culture, about how Movement builds a deeply people-centered, remote-first culture where authenticity and innovation thrive. What you’ll learn: How a $1,500 “Movement Journey” sti...

What if your job actually made the world better? That’s the vision behind Benevity - a software company that helps the world’s biggest brands lead with purpose, give back at scale, and build meaningful connection among employees. In this episode, I talk with Janeen Speer, Chief People Officer at Benevity, about how they’re cultivating a mission-driven, high-performance culture without sacrificing flexibility or fun. What you’ll learn: How Benevity is disrupting corporate giving—and why it’s w...

Obsessed with personality tests? (Me too.) SurePeople is flipping the script on assessments by making psychometric insights accessible, ongoing, and practical—built for real work, in real time. In this episode, I chat with Russ Mikowski, CEO of SurePeople, about how they’re democratizing self-awareness, infusing AI into career coaching, and building a small but mighty team that embraces transparency, flexibility, and fun. 💡 What you’ll learn: How SurePeople's PRISM assessment is reshap...